Adenylyl cyclase (AC), which produces the signalling molecule cAMP, has numerous important cellular functions in diverse organisms from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. Here we report the identification and characterization of an AC gene from the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. The encoded protein has both a C-terminal AC catalytic domain similar to those of class III ACs and an N-terminal cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) domain that degrades cyclic nucleotides, thus we designated the gene MpCAPE (COMBINED AC with PDE). Biochemical analyses of recombinant proteins showed that MpCAPE has both AC and PDE activities. In MpCAPE-promoter-GUS lines, GUS activity was specifically detected in the male sexual organ, the antheridium, suggesting MpCAPE and thus cAMP signalling may be involved in the male reproductive process. CAPE orthologues are distributed only in basal land plants and charophytes that use motile sperm as the male gamete. CAPE is a subclass of class III AC and may be important in male organ and cell development in basal plants.
A copper-catalyzed intramolecular amination occurs at the benzylic C-H of 2-methylbenzamides to deliver the corresponding isoindolinones of great interest in medicinal chemistry. The mild and abundant MnO2 works well as a terminal oxidant, and the reaction proceeds smoothly under potentially explosive organic peroxide-free conditions. Additionally, the directing-group-dependent divergent mechanisms are proposed: 8-aminoquinoline-containing benzamides include a Cu-mediated organometallic pathway whereas an aminyl radical-promoted Hofmann-Loffler-Freytag (HLF)-type mechanism can be operative in the case of N-naphthyl-substituted substrates.
An n-(CH)/LiClO4/p-(CH) battery (1.0 M LiClO4 in propylene carbonate) prepared by passing 2.14 C (dopant concentration y=0.072) exhibited an open-circuit voltage of 3.5 V and an initial short-circuit current of 28 mA ((CH)x electrode; ∼4 mg). Experimental energy density of 424 W-hr/Kg (at a stored charge of 10.8 C (y=0.364), a liberated charge of 4.52 C and a mean voltage of 2.7 V) was obtained based on the weight of the (CH)
x
film (both electrodes; ∼8 mg). No degradation of the polyacetylene battery was observed even after 2000 successive charge/discharge cycles, each cycle consisting of a 10 min discharge at a constant resistance of 50 kΩ and a 10 min charge at 0.1 mA (a stored charge of 0.06 C (y=0.002)).
Listeria monocytogenes: Report of a rise in pregnant women and literature review Listeria monocytogenes, rare pathogen in the general population, causes serious infections in patients at the extreme ages of life, pregnant woman, and those with immunosuppression. The clinical manifestations are essential to suspect the disease in patients at risk, allowing an early prescription of antimicrobial therapy, before the results of the cultures are available. Clinical course and prognosis depends on how early treatment is started and, in pregnant women, the gestational age. In Clínica Alemana, at Santiago, we detected a 15 fold rate rise of neonatal listeriosis between year 2007 and 2008. Ten cases were diagnosed between January and July 2008 and the seven cases occurring in pregnant women are reported here. All these patients were in their first pregnancy, which could be associated with similar lifestyle and food habits. Considering this new epidemiological scenario, it is important to educate the population, and to conduct an epidemiological study in order to determine the national situation of Listeria monocytogenes infection.
A directing-group-controlled, copper-catalyzed divergent approach to indoles and oxazoles from enamides has been developed. The picolinamide-derived enamides undergo the intramolecular aromatic C-H amination in the presence of a Cu(OPiv) catalyst and an MnO oxidant to form the corresponding indoles in good yields. On the other hand, simpler aryl- or alkyl-substituted enamides are converted to the 2,4,5-trisubstituted oxazole frameworks via vinylic C-H alkoxylation under identical conditions. The copper catalysis can provide uniquely divergent access to indole and oxazole heteroaromatic cores of great importance in medicinal and material chemistry.
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